Chapter 100: Never mind, let me drive!

Pan Ximi frowned slightly at the sight, but still signaled his men to continue cutting. This time, they replaced the drill bit with a sharper one and proceeded with even greater care. The roar of the cutting machine sounded again, but in the next moment, it was the same sound as before.

A crisp snap echoed—once again, the cutting machine failed!

Everyone’s gaze was fixed intently on the uncut raw stone. Pan Ximi’s eyes widened; he had not expected that even after changing the cutting head, he still could not cut through this object! Was this stone forged of iron and steel?

Pan Ximi took a deep breath, feeling that something extraordinary lay within this raw stone. He waved his hand to halt his men and stepped forward himself to examine the stubborn stone closely.

The surface was smooth as a mirror, shimmering with a faint azure glow, as if a mysterious force flowed within it.

“This stone is peculiar,” Pan Ximi murmured, a hint of resolve flashing in his eyes. He turned to me and said, “Master Wang, what do you say?”

I smiled lightly. “The treatise ‘Blood Eye Discerns Jade’ mentions a kind of stone called Celestial Jade—said to be formed from falling stars.”

“Celestial Jade?” Pan Ximi repeated, hope and uncertainty flickering in his gaze. He scrutinized the raw stone as if seeking its hidden secrets.

“Master Wang, are you saying this stone might be Celestial Jade?”

I nodded, my eyes serious as I looked at him. “Indeed. Celestial Jade is exceedingly rare, and legend holds it harbors boundless power, able to shape destiny. If this truly is Celestial Jade, it is no wonder it cannot be cut.”

“After all, this is the ancestor of all jade!”

“The ancestor of jade?” Pan Ximi was taken aback. Clearly, my words had touched upon a gap in his knowledge.

After pondering, Pan Ximi said slowly, “Then, could this be related to the ‘Exquisite Jade Ring’?”

I nodded. “The Exquisite Jade Ring is said to be a supreme treasure crafted from Celestial Jade, imbued with unparalleled power. If this raw stone is truly Celestial Jade, then perhaps the legend of the Exquisite Jade Ring is not mere fiction.”

Pan Ximi’s expression grew even more grave. Old Leopard Chen, too, watched the stone with cautious eyes.

Suddenly, Pan Ximi burst into laughter, looking at me. “Master Wang, are you trying to frighten me?”

“One moment you mention Celestial Jade, the next the Exquisite Jade Ring. All this mystique—is it just to cover up the fact you can’t open this stone?”

I smiled, unconcerned. “Pan Ximi, if you don’t believe me, you’re free to test it yourself. But I advise caution—this raw stone may conceal powers unknown.”

Pan Ximi snorted, turning to his men. “Go, fetch the blowtorch!”

“I graduated from middle school, after all. I refuse to believe a little heat expansion and contraction can’t deal with this blasted stone!”

Before long, his men brought a blowtorch. Pan Ximi took it himself, directing its scorching flame at the stone. The fire hissed, filling the air with the scent of burning.

Yet, to everyone’s astonishment, the stone remained unchanged—smooth as a mirror, its faint azure light now even brighter.

“This… this is impossible!” Pan Ximi’s face was filled with shock, his grip on the torch nearly slipping.

I spoke calmly. “Celestial Jade is no ordinary thing; how could mundane fire harm it?”

At that moment, Old Leopard Chen stepped forward, his eyes bright as he stared at the stone. He said softly, “Perhaps we need a different approach. Since cutting and flame are useless, is it possible this stone requires some specific condition to open?”

Pan Ximi’s expression darkened as he pondered. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Perhaps it needs a certain frequency or vibration?”

Old Leopard Chen nodded in agreement. “Exactly. If legend holds it possesses mysterious power, perhaps its unlocking method is equally uncommon.”

Pan Ximi immediately ordered a high-frequency vibration device to be brought. He carefully adjusted the frequency, pressing the vibrating head gently against the raw stone.

With the device activated, the stone’s surface began to tremble, its azure light growing ever brighter. Yet, after several minutes, the stone remained unchanged.

Pan Ximi’s brows knitted tightly; frustration was clear.

I watched as Pan Ximi grew anxious, sweat beading on his brow.

Finally, I spoke slowly, “Enough. Let me open it.”

Pan Ximi was stunned, staring at me. “Wait, Master Wang, you’re going to open it? What tool will you use?”

I smiled quietly and walked to the stone.

I reached out and gently touched the raw stone with my fingertip. The sensation was icy cold—just as described in ‘Blood Eye Discerns Jade.’

The treatise said that Celestial Jade fell to earth and thus jade veins were formed. The ancestors of the Ancient Jade Society forged this Celestial Jade into the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart.

Feeling a chill emanate from the stone, I closed my eyes, recalling the description from ‘Blood Eye Discerns Jade,’ silently reciting an ancient incantation.

Sound waves and sonic patterns gently vibrated from my lips.

“Pan Ximi, step back,” I said quietly.

Pan Ximi and Old Leopard Chen exchanged a glance, puzzled but obediently led their men away.

I continued to chant, my fingers moving slowly across the stone’s surface, as if searching for hidden lines.

Suddenly, my fingertip touched a tiny depression—a jolt of recognition; I knew I’d found the crucial point.

“Celestial Jade, reveal your true form!” I called out, pressing down forcefully.

In an instant, the stone’s azure light flared, like lightning splitting the night.

Everyone held their breath, eyes glued to the raw stone.

As the azure light faded, fine cracks appeared on the stone’s surface, swiftly spreading like countless threads.

A sharp crack sounded, and the stone finally split open, revealing a large, perfectly round jade within, radiating a gentle glow.

Pan Ximi and Old Leopard Chen stared in awe at the jade, mesmerized by its brilliance.

“This… this really is Celestial Jade!” Pan Ximi whispered, his voice trembling with reverence.

I smiled and nodded. “Indeed, this is Celestial Jade. Its power must not be underestimated.”

Old Leopard Chen recovered, asking excitedly, “Master Wang, what does Celestial Jade have to do with the Exquisite Jade Ring?”

I pondered for a moment, then replied slowly, “Once Celestial Jade is refined, it gains the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart. As soon as you open the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart within this jade, you will naturally possess the Exquisite Jade Ring!”

Pan Ximi was stunned. “Could it be that the Exquisite Jade Ring is hidden within this jade?”